By Liz Leamy
Several weeks ago, 17 fourth graders from the Midland School in Rye banded together in enthusiastic fashion to help assist the Bread of Life with its popular bi-weekly pantry.
This crew, which was organized several years ago by the school’s Parent Teacher Organization in tandem with its teaching staff and the Bread of Life representatives, could be seen having a terrific and productive time at the pantry that is held every other Monday at 65 Orchard Avenue in Rye from 10am to 12pm.
Throughout this slightly rainy morning, this hard-working crew spent most of their time doing such things as help pack vegetable bags, carry and put together bags filled with dry items such as peanut butter, pasta and canned goods and help pass bags out to pantry recipients, among other things.
“This is an amazing opportunity for everyone to give back and the kids are very excited to be here,” said Greg Moraitis, teacher of the group who is in his 21st year of teaching and 20th year at Midland School, located on 312 Midland Avenue in Rye. “This is such a great experience for all of them and they are all doing such a great job.”
The Bread of Life representatives agreed.
“Each year, one of the fourth grade classes [at Midland] joins us at the pantry to serve their food insecure neighbors,” said Sue Wexler of Rye, Director of Community Outreach for the Bread of Life and Giving Tree Global, Inc., which is also a partner of Trinity Church has locations in Greenwich, New Canaan and Westchester. “I do not know who is more blessed by our time together, the students, teachers, volunteers or food recipients. It is wonderful to see the joy on the recipients’ faces as they are handed food by the smiling children.”
Wexler said several weeks prior to this event, she had visited with the students at Midland to help provide them with information on the issue of food insecurity.
“Each year, I go to the school to teach the students about food insecurity and the work that we do at the Bread of Life to help feed the bodies and souls,” said Wexler, who also grew up in Greenwich and had attended Greenwich High School. “Food insecurity is on the rise in our area and we have seen the numbers of people who come to our pantry on a Monday rise significantly.”
Wexler added that the Bread of Life has been partnered with Midland School with this effort for nine years running.
“Midland School holds food drives throughout the school year with the highlight being their community service week which occurs each spring and each year, one of the fourth grade classes joins us at the pantry to serve their food insecure neighbors,” said Wexler. “The kids learned today what it truly means ‘stop for the one in front of you.’”
Moraitis expressed similar sentiments.
“This is a great opportunity for the kids to get involved and be of service out of the classroom,” said Moraitis. “This experience is all about gratitude and the importance of working together to help one another.”
For more information about how to get involved or donate to the Bread of Life, please contact them at:
Giving Tree Global Inc./Bread of Life, 65 Orchard Hill Avenue, Rye, NY 10580, info@givingtreeglobal.org, 914-602-9783
